The Healthy Eating Initiative Award 2014/15

Pupils at Ysgol Abererch were today presented with a Community Education Award after children designed, marketed and sold a healthy drink.

The primary school, in Abererch near Pwllheli, was presented with the Healthy Eating Initiative Award after the children produced and sold a milk-based smoothie in school. The drink dubbed, ‘Smw-Fis’ not only improved the children’s healthy eating but proved to be sustainable and profitable.

The project came to fruition after the caretaker sent a letter to the school’s council complaining left over milk was being poured down the sink every Friday evening.

Teachers say the healthy eating scheme has been so successful that it has improved the health of the whole village.

Head teacher, Mrs Annwen Hughes, said she was delighted to win the award, particularly in view of the school’s size with just 71 pupils.

“We are thrilled, the children have really, really enjoyed making the smoothies,” she said.

“The project started with a letter that the caretaker sent to the school council regarding left over milk that was being poured down the sink on a Friday evening. At the same time, some parents mentioned in an open evening that they were finding it hard to get their children to eat fruit every day. So we monitored how many children in years 1 and 2 ate a piece of fruit every day during cafe time- most children brought fruit to school but did not eat it!”

“As part of developing the idea the children were involved in developing the smoothies by trying different fruits as well as researching and marketing the drinks for sale. The project not only helped use otherwise wasted milk, but made a profit which the school used to buy a smoothy maker.”

As a result of the enterprise the school says it has formed links with national and local businesses and has improved the diet of the children both at the school and at home with their families.

Mrs Hughes added: “The children’s attitude towards food did change and they became keen to try new fruits. Parents started to make comments about positive changes in their children’s attitude towards eating fruit. So there were health benefits that spread to the whole family. It has benefitted the whole community with promoting healthy eating at home too. We never expected to win- it’s our first major award as we are only a small school, so it makes it even more special.”

Morgandie Harrold, eight, is a pupil at the school: “I love eating healthy and I feel really proud that we’ve won this award. My family are really proud too,” she said.

Aran Llewelyn, also eight, added: “I’m very grateful we’ve won this award, we’ve worked really hard. The smoothies are really tasty.”

Kelly Griffiths organiser for the Community Education Awards, congratulated the school on their success.

“What Ysgol Abererch has achieved is absolutely fantastic. When you think what such a small school has achieved it is amazing,” she said.

Richard Evans Coordinator for the Awards said “I was lucky enough to try a Smw-Fi today and it’s no wonder the project has been such a success, and it’s great that the drinks are also healthy. All the teachers, children and parents at Ysgol Abererch should give themselves a big pat on the back.”